The Edmonton Oilers placed Russian defender Ziyat Paigin on unconditional waivers Tuesday, an unusual move for the organization at any time of year. Management offered positive words about the giant defender from the day he was drafted in 2015 and were positively bullish on him as late as July 2017.

Oilers’ assistant general manager Keith Gretzky: “For a big man, he moves well and I think it’s like Jesse (Puljujarvi) coming over here. He’s got to learn the language. He’s a happy, happy kid and there’s lots to like in his game. Give him some time and some development time. It’s good to see when those guys come over here and they know they have to go to Bakersfield, they want to go there, we have great coaching down there so it gives him some time and hopefully he develops and can be in Edmonton because he’s a big man and it’ll be good to see.” (Chris Westcott via Bob Stauffer, Edmonton Oilers)

Paigin's performance in Bakersfield (7 GP, 0-0-0...

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